Saruni Samburu Lodge

Saruni Samburu Lodge is an exclusive, eco-luxury safari lodge located within the spectacular Kalama Conservancy, bordering the Samburu National Reserve in Northern Kenya.

Perched high on a rocky escarpment, the lodge overlooks over 200,000 acres of pristine wilderness, offering panoramic views of Mount Kenya, the Kalama plains, and the sacred mountain of Ololokwe.

Designed with harmony and elegance, the lodge blends Italian-inspired architecture with local Samburu artistry, providing an unmatched blend of comfort, culture, and adventure. With only six spacious villas, guests experience complete privacy, tranquility, and personalized service in one of Kenya’s most dramatic settings.

Location & Accessibility

✓ Provides exclusive access to the remote, protected wilderness of Kalama — home to elephants, lions, leopards, and the rare Samburu Special Five
✓ Neighboring Buffalo Springs National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve, allowing guests to explore a vast mosaic of diverse ecosystems
✓ Perched dramatically atop an enormous red rock outcrop within Kalama Conservancy, a 200,000-acre private wildlife sanctuary adjoining Samburu National Reserve
✓ Located approximately 7 km north of Samburu National Reserve’s border, offering sweeping views over the Northern Frontier District and the sacred Mount Ololokwe

By Road:

✓ Total journey time is about 6–7 hours by private or scheduled transfer
✓ Road transfers available from nearby conservancies, lodges, and airstrips
✓ Recommended access via Kalama Gate, with a final 12 km dirt road leading to the lodge’s elevated location
✓ Approximately 350 km from Nairobi, taking the scenic Thika–Nanyuki–Timau–Isiolo–Archer’s Post route

By Air:

✓ Charter flights also available on request, directly to Kalama Airstrip for private travel arrangements
✓ 15–20-minute scenic drive from Kalama Airstrip to the lodge through the rocky hills of the conservancy
✓ Daily scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Kalama, Oryx, or Buffalo Springs Airstrips (approximately 1 hour)

Accommodation – Luxury Villas

Saruni Samburu Lodge features six exquisite villas — each uniquely designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Every villa offers breathtaking views over the Kalama Conservancy and the dramatic mountains of northern Kenya. Villas are spacious, elegantly furnished, and ideal for couples, families, or groups seeking privacy, comfort, and a deep connection with nature.

Villa One – Family Villa

✓ Ideal for families with children
✓ Indoor and outdoor showers plus bathtubs
✓ Panoramic views and cool breeze throughout the day
✓ Spacious living room and open veranda with fireplace
✓ One king-size bedroom and one twin bedroom, both en-suite

Villa Two – Grand Family Villa

✓ Perfect for families or groups
✓ Expansive living and dining area
✓ The largest villa at Saruni Samburu
✓ Fully stocked fridge with cold refreshments
✓ Open veranda with uninterrupted wilderness views
✓ Two en-suite bedrooms with indoor and outdoor showers

Villa Three – Standard Single Villa

✓ Spacious lounge and private veranda
✓ Ideal for couples or a small family of three
✓ One en-suite bedroom with an elegant bathroom
✓ Seamlessly blends into the surrounding rock formations

Villa Four – Family Villa

✓ Short walk to both infinity pools
✓ Perfect for families or small groups
✓ Exceptional mountain and valley views
✓ Expansive living room and veranda overlooking the plains
✓ Two large en-suite bedrooms with both tubs and outdoor showers

Villa Five – Honeymoon Villa

✓ Luxurious bathroom with bath and outdoor shower
✓ One-bedroom villa with romantic, open-plan design
✓ Ideal for honeymooners and couples seeking privacy
✓ Panoramic wilderness views from the bed and veranda
✓ Built around natural rock formations on the hillside edge

Villa Six – Family / Standard Villa

✓ Closest to the upper infinity pool
✓ Large shared lounge and dining area
✓ Faces the dramatic Mathews Range mountains
✓ Suitable for families, groups, or two separate parties
✓ Each bedroom en-suite with indoor and outdoor showers
✓ Two-bedroom configuration (booked together or separately)

Room Features & Amenities

✓ Complimentary Wi-Fi
✓ Complimentary laundry service
✓ Mosquito nets and cooling fans
✓ Lounge area and dressing gowns
✓ Mini-fridge stocked with refreshments
✓ Freestanding bathtubs (in select villas)
✓ Safe and electrical outlets for charging
✓ 24-hour guest assistance and room service
✓ King-size or twin beds with pure cotton linens
✓ Private veranda or balcony with panoramic views
✓ En-suite bathrooms with both indoor & outdoor showers

Dining & Culinary Experience

Dining at Saruni Samburu is a celebration of African and Mediterranean flavors, prepared using the freshest local ingredients. Guests can enjoy meals in the open-air dining area, by the infinity pool, or under the stars on their private verandas.

Culinary Highlights:

✓ Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available
✓ Bush breakfasts and candlelit dinners on scenic viewpoints
✓ Freshly baked breads, locally sourced produce, and fine wines
✓ Farm-to-table cuisine inspired by Italian and African traditions
✓ Sundowners served at breathtaking locations across Kalama Conservancy

Lounge & Common Areas

The lodge’s central area includes an elegant open-air lounge, a library, and two infinity pools that appear to float above the landscape. From here, guests can watch elephants crossing the plains or enjoy the endless horizon stretching across the Northern Frontier.

The decor reflects a fusion of contemporary design and Samburu culture, creating a refined atmosphere of serenity.

Experiences & Activities

✓ Sundowners – Toast to the African sunset at a scenic viewpoint with your favorite drink and delicious “bitings”
✓ Helicopter Excursions – Scenic flights to Mount Kenya, Lake Turkana, and other northern wonders (arranged on request)
✓ Bush Meals – Enjoy breakfasts by the Ewaso Nyiro River, scenic picnics, or starlit dinners in the dry riverbeds surrounded by nature
✓ Birdwatching – Spot and photograph over 450 bird species with expert guides who share their knowledge and passion for local avifauna
✓ Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Visit – Tour Africa’s first community-owned elephant orphanage and learn about local wildlife rescue efforts
✓ Scorpion Safaris & Stargazing – Discover nocturnal life beneath the sand and admire the unpolluted night skies above Kalama’s hot rock
✓ Infinity Swimming Pools – Cool off in two stunning infinity pools positioned on rocky outcrops, both offering panoramic views of the conservancy
✓ The Sacred Mountain Trek (Mount Ololokwe) – A guided trek to the Samburu’s sacred mountain, rich in culture, history, and breathtaking views
✓ Warriors Academy – A family-friendly educational experience where children and adults learn the Samburu way of life, bushcraft, and wildlife conservation
✓ Cultural Visits – Visit genuine Samburu villages and interact with the local community to experience their traditions, daily life, and unique cultural ceremonies
✓ Photographic Hide – Capture wildlife from a unique, ground-level hide near a waterhole — perfect for photographing elephants, predators, and birdlife up close
✓ Guided Bush Walks – Walk alongside Samburu warriors, learning traditional tracking skills, local plant uses, and visiting nearby caves adorned with ancient rock art
✓ Samburu Wellbeing Space – Relax with massages and holistic treatments using natural Samburu remedies like Olmurmuru seeds and aloe gel, overlooking the plains
✓ Guided Game Drives (Day & Night) – Explore Kalama Conservancy and Samburu National Reserve, home to the Big Five and the unique Samburu Five: reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, and Grevy’s zebra. Night drives in Kalama reveal rare nocturnal wildlife

Facilities & Guest Services

✓ Laundry Service – Complimentary daily laundry
✓ Private Vehicle Option – Available for exclusive safaris
✓ 24-Hour Security – Trained staff ensuring comfort and safety
✓ Vegetarian & Special Diet Options – Available upon request
✓ Complimentary Wi-Fi – Available in villas and common areas
✓ Airport Transfers – Complimentary shuttle from nearby airstrips
✓ Room Service & Meal on Request – Personalized dining flexibility
✓ Spa & Wellness Center – Full range of massage and beauty treatments
✓ Family-Friendly Facilities – Kiddies Club and child-friendly experiences
✓ Eco-Friendly Operations – Fully solar-powered and sustainably managed
✓ Boutique Gift Shop – Handcrafted Samburu souvenirs and safari essentials
✓ Restaurant & Bar – Open-air dining serving African and international cuisine
✓ Two Infinity Pools – Overlooking Kalama Conservancy with spectacular views
✓ Communal Lounge & Library – Relaxed spaces for socializing or quiet reading

Highlights of Saruni Samburu Lodge

✓ Ideal for couples, families, and photographers
✓ Six luxury villas with breathtaking panoramic views
✓ Close proximity to the Samburu Special Five wildlife
✓ Expert-guided safaris in Kalama and Samburu ecosystems
✓ Only lodge in Kalama Conservancy offering total exclusivity
✓ Commitment to community-led conservation and sustainability
✓ Unique architecture blending modern design and Samburu culture

 Non-Residents Accommodation Rates Per Night Includes;

Full-board – all meals & accommodation + Soft drinks, house wines, selected beers & house spirits + Bush meals, picnic excursions & sunset sundowners Tea & coffee service in own room + Selected laundry service + Unlimited internet + Return airstrip transfers + Shared day & night game drives in open-sided vehicles + Guided bush walking safari + 1 x complimentary Back & Neck massage (30 minutes) per room per stay in our Wellbeing Space + Warriors Academy – family/children activity (upon request and bookable in advance) + Private yoga mat for self instructed yoga/exercise + Cultural village visit transfers + Value Added Tax & other taxes.

Notes

* Rates are subject to change with notice
* Accommodation is subject to availability
* Minimum stay during high season is 2 nights
* No Easter, Christmas, or New Year supplements
* 4 Days 3 Nights Fly-In Safari to Saruni Samburu Lodge | Click Here
* Children under the age of 5 stay for free when sharing with parents/ adults
* Conservation fees are subject to change by the private conservancies in which we operate
* 2 to 3 children under 16 years sharing a family villa with two adults will each be charged 50% of the adult rate
* 2 Children in their own room (not a family suite) will each be charged 75% of the adult price per person per night
* 1 or 2 children under 16 years sharing a room with one adult will each be charged 50% of the adult price per person per night
* All guests traveling to Saruni must have comprehensive travel insurance, medical insurance, and emergency evacuation coverage
* Generally, check-in time is 1100 hours, and we ask that guests check out by 1000 Hours to create time to prepare rooms for incoming guests
* All children are the responsibility of their parents; childminders or ayahs can be organized upon request for 20 US Dollars per hour.  Ayah accommodation is  subject to availability at the rate of 100 US Dollars per day in the guest’s room

Saruni Samburu Luxury Lodge Non-Residents Accommodation Rates Excludes:

* Child-care
* Cultural village visit entry fees
* All statutory increases beyond our control
* Own private guides (60 US Dollars per day)
* Temporary Flying Doctors Evacuation cover
* Gratuity to staff & guide and anything personal
* Exclusive use of vehicle 400 US Dollars Per Day
* Additional Wellbeing Space massages & treatments
* Entry fee to cultural visits any payable extra activity
* Transport & entry fees for Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
* Premium drinks/ Champagne, luxury Spirits, and Selected Wines
* Extra lunch/packed lunch on departure day (35 US Dollars per person)
* Late departure fees – Adult (180 US Dollars) and Child (90 US Dollars)
* Anything of a personal nature, any payable extra services, activities & extras
* Conservation fees/ Park Entry Fee – 160 US Dollars for Adults and 80 US Dollars per day for children aged 5-16 years

Kalama Conservancy, Samburu – Conservancy Fees

* Adult – 160 US Dollars per adult Per Day
* Child(5-16 Years) – 80 US Dollars per child Per Day
* Conservation fees are subject to change by the private conservancies in which we operate

Click below to visit Saruni Samburu’s six luxury villas.

* Family Villa 1
* Single Villa 3
* Family Villa 4
* Family and Single Villa 6
* Family and Single Villa 2
* Single Villa 5 Honeymoon Suite

All six villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kenya’s Northern Frontier District and Mount Kenya in the distance.

Each has a private bathroom with an indoor shower, and some also include a bath and an outdoor shower. The lodge is revered for its innovative, eco-chic architecture and interesting design and décor. The beds are draped with a mosquito net. The spacious bathrooms have an alfresco shower area, soft dressing gowns, and a hairdryer.

Meals are traditionally served in the spacious dining room, on the terrace, or in the bush. Soft drinks, beer, house wines, and non-luxury spirits can be taken at the bar, on the terrace, or in the bush.

Guests can relax and take a dip in the two outdoor pools or visit the Wellbeing Space at Saruni Samburu, where guests enjoy massage and wellness treatments in the most serene and relaxing environment.

The lodge location gives guests remarkable opportunities to see the Samburu Five – five rare and endemic animals to the Samburu ecosystem, among others. The Gerenuk, the Reticulated giraffe, the Somali ostrich, the Grevy’s zebra, and the Beisa oryx.  

Saruni Samburu Lodge Activities include day and night game drives, guided bush walks, bird watching, bush dining, Samburu village visits, sundowners, helicopter and bi-plane excursions, swimming, and visits to local caves and the warrior academy, where guests, especially children, learn bush skills and animal tracking.

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com